P2V Conversion - Linux to VMware vSphere (ESXi) or Microsoft Hyper-V

Virtualizing the operating system on a physical server can be the key to preserving its applications and migrating it to faster hardware that it may not support on its own. It also enables the operating system and applications to be easily migrated to internet-based, or "cloud" servers, potentially lowering future maintenance costs and ensuring "run forever" status.

Beginning with BackupEDGE 03.00.07, Linux physical-to-virtual (P2V) conversion/recovery is built into RecoverEDGE. This allows the user to take a physical server with a supported Linux release and easily convert it into a virtual server running under VMware vSphere (ESXi). Hyper-V support begins with 03.01.03 build 5 and later. There is no extra fee for this support on our Linux releases.

P2V - Requirements

• BackupEDGE must be licensed and activated. P2V capability is not available while in 60 day demo mode.
• VMware - Must be virtualizing to VMware ESXi 5 or later. Earlier versions of VMware may work but are not supported.
• Hyper-V - Must be virtualizing to Windows Server 2012 R2 or later. Earlier versions of Hyper-V may work but are not supported.
• FTP (URL) backups are recommended, but in reality any storage Resource that can be used by both a physical server or virtual machine (VM) will work.

P2V - Supported Linux Distributions - VMware

• Must be using a supported Linux distribution. 03.00.07 build 1 and later supports:
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.x or 5.x.
  • CentOS Server 6.5 or 5.x.
  • Oracle Linux Server 6.x.
• 03.03.01 build 1 and later also supports:
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.8. (LVM-based servers not supported.)
  • CentOS Server 7.8-2003. (LVM-based servers not supported.)
  • Oracle Linux Server 7.8. (LVM-based servers not supported.)
  • All Red Hat / CentOS / Oracle Linux 7.x releases must be fully patched to at least the 7.8 (2003 for CentOS) level for P2V to be supported. Older patch levels may work but are not supported.
  • BIOS mode and UEFI mode are both supported for the 7.x series. You must P2V to the same type, i.e. you can't convert between BIOS and UEFI mode during a P2V.

P2V - Supported Linux Distributions - Hyper-V

• Must be using a supported Linux distribution. 03.003.01 build 1 and later supports:
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.8.
  • CentOS Server 7.8 - 2003.
  • Oracle Linux Server 7.8.
• All Red Hat / CentOS / Oracle Linux 7.x releases must be fully patched to at least the 7.8 (2003 for CentOS) level for P2V to be supported. Older patch levels may work but are not supported. LVM-based servers are not supported.

The latest available version of BackupEDGE is always recommended as we frequently improve the process.

The P2V procedures are describe in detail in Section 30 - Disaster Recovery - Linux P2V of the BackupEDGE User Guide. Please see the User Guide for additional information and capabilities.

Last Updated - 2021/06/11